J1 League

Top division of association football in Japan

Football league

J1 League

Organising body| J.League
Founded| 1992; 31 years ago (1992)
Country| Japan
Confederation| AFC
Number of teams| 20
Level on pyramid| 1
Relegation to| J2 League
Domestic cup(s)| Emperor's Cup
Fujifilm Super Cup
League cup(s)| YBC Levain Cup
International cup(s)| AFC Champions League Elite
AFC Champions League 2
Current champions| Vissel Kobe (1st title)
(2023)
Most championships| Kashima Antlers (8 titles)
Top goalscorer| Yoshito Ōkubo (179 goals)
TV partners| DAZN
NHK
YouTube
Website| jleague.jp
Current: 2024 J1 League

The J1 League (Japanese: J1リーグ, Hepburn: Jē-wan Rīgu), a.k.a “Meiji Yasuda J1 League” (Japanese: 明治安田J1リーグ, Hepburn: Meiji Yasuda Jē-wan Rīgu) for sponsorship reasons,[1] is the top level of the Japan Professional Football League (日本プロサッカーリーグ, Nihon Puro Sakkā Rīgu) system.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Founded in 1992, it is one of the most successful leagues in Asian professional club football history. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the J2 League (formerly J.League Division 2). It was known as the J.League from 1993 to 1998 before becoming a two-division league, and as J.League Division 1 from 1999 to 2014.

## History[edit]

For the history of Japanese club association football before the inception of the professional league in 1993, see Japan Soccer League.

For the detailed history of J2 League, see J2 League § History.

### Phases of J1[edit]

#### Before the professional league (1992 and earlier)[edit]

Before the inception of the J.League, the highest level of club football was the Japan Soccer League (JSL), which was formed in 1965 and consisted of amateur clubs.[10][11] Despite being well-attended during the boom of the late 1960s and early 1970s (when Japan's national team won the bronze Olympic medal at the 1968 games in Mexico), the JSL went into decline in the 1980s, in general line with the deteriorating situation worldwide. Fans were few, the grounds were not of the highest quality, and the Japanese national team was not on a par with the Asian powerhouses. To raise the level of play domestically, to attempt to garner more fans, and to strengthen the national team, the Japan Football Association (JFA) decided to form a professional league.

The professional association football league, J.League was formed in 1992, with eight clubs drawn from the JSL First Division, one from the Second Division, and the newly formed Shimizu S-Pulse. At the same time, JSL changed its name and became the former Japan Football League, a semi-professional league. Although the J.League did not officially launch until 1993, the Yamazaki Nabisco Cup competition was held between the ten clubs in 1992 to prepare for the inaugural season.

#### Inaugural season and J.League boom (1993–1995)[edit]

J.League officially kicked off its first season with ten clubs in early 1993.

#### After the boom (1996–1999)[edit]

Despite the success in the first three years, in early 1996 the league attendance declined rapidly. In 1997 the average attendance was 10,131, compared to more than 19,000 in 1994. Notably, Arsène Wenger managed Nagoya Grampus Eight during this period.

#### Change of infrastructure and game formats (1999–2004)[edit]

Main article: J2 League

The league's management finally realized that they were heading in the wrong direction. In order to solve the problem, the management came out with two solutions.

First, they announced the J.League Hundred Year Vision, in which they aim to make 100 professional association football clubs in the nation of Japan by 2092, the hundredth season. The league also encouraged the clubs to promote football or non-football related sports and health activities, to acquire local sponsorships, and to build good relationship with their hometowns at the grass-root level. The league believed that this will allow the clubs to bond with their respective cities and towns and get support from local government, companies, and citizens. In other words, clubs will be able to rely on the locals, rather than major national sponsors.

Second, the infrastructure of the league was heavily changed in 1999. The league acquired nine clubs from the semi-professional JFL and one club from J.League to create a two division system. The top flight became the J.League Division 1 (J1) with 16 clubs while J.League Division 2 (J2) was launched with ten clubs in 1999. The former second-tier Japan Football League now became the third-tier Japan Football League.

Also, until 2004 (with the exception of 1996 season), the J1 season was divided into two. At the end of each full season, the champions from each half played a two-legged series to determine the overall season winners and runners-up. Júbilo Iwata in 2002, and Yokohama F. Marinos in 2003, won both "halves" of the respective seasons, thus eliminating the need for the playoff series. This was the part of the reason the league abolished the split-season system starting from 2005.

#### European League Format & AFC Champions League (2005–2008)[edit]

Since the 2005 season, J.League Division 1 consisted of 18 clubs (from 16 in 2004) and the season format became more similar to European club football. The number of relegated clubs also increased from 2 to 2.5, with the 3rd-to-last club going into a promotion/relegation playoff with the third-placed J2 club. Since then, other than minor adjustments, the top flight has stayed consistent.

Japanese teams did not treat the AFC Champions League seriously in the early years, in part due to the distances travelled and teams involved. However, in the 2008 Champions League, three Japanese sides made the quarter-finals.[12]

However, in recent years, with the inclusion of the A-League in Eastern Asia, introduction to the Club World Cup, and increased marketability in the Asian continent, both the league and the clubs paid more attention to Asian competition. For example, Kawasaki Frontale built up a notable fan base in Hong Kong, owing to their participation in the Asian Champions League during the 2007 season.[13] Continuous effort led to the success of Urawa Red Diamonds in 2007 and Gamba Osaka in 2008. Thanks to excellent league management and competitiveness in Asian competition, the AFC awarded J.League the highest league ranking and a total of four slots starting from the 2009 season. The league took this as an opportunity to sell TV broadcasting rights to foreign countries, especially in Asia.

Also starting from the 2008 season, the Emperor's Cup Winner was allowed to participate in the upcoming Champions League season, rather than waiting a whole year (i.e. 2005 Emperor's Cup winner, Tokyo Verdy, participated in the 2007 ACL season, instead of the 2006 season). In order to fix this one-year lag issue, the 2007 Emperor's Cup winner, Kashima Antlers' turn was waived. Nonetheless, Kashima Antlers ended up participating in the 2009 ACL season by winning the J.League title in the 2008 season.

#### Modern phase (2009–2016)[edit]

Three major changes were seen starting in the 2009 season. First, starting that season, four clubs entered the AFC Champions League. Secondly, the number of relegation slots increased to three. Finally, the AFC Player slot was implemented starting this season. Each club will be allowed to have a total of four foreign players; however, one slot is reserved for a player that derives from an AFC country other than Japan. Also, as a requirement of being a member of the Asian Football Confederation, in 2012 the J.League Club Licence became one criterion of whether a club was permitted to be promoted to a higher tier in professional level leagues. No major changes happened to J.League Division 1 as the number of clubs stayed at 18.

In 2015 the J.League Division 1 was renamed J1 League. Also, the tournament format was changed to a three-stage system. The season was split into first and second stages, followed by a third and final championship stage. The third stage was composed of three to five teams. The top point accumulator in each stage and the top three point accumulators for the overall season qualified. If both of the stage winners finished in the top three teams for the season, then only three teams qualified for the championship stage. These teams then took part in a championship playoff stage to decide the winner of the league trophy.

#### Current (2017–)[edit]

Despite the new multi-stage format being initially reported as locked in for five seasons, due to negative reaction from hardcore fans and failure to appeal to casual fans, after 2016 it was abandoned in favour of a return to a single-stage system.[14] From 2017, the team which accumulates the most points will be named champion, with no championship stage taking place at the season's end, and from 2018, the bottom two clubs are relegated and the 16th-placed club enters a playoff with the J2 club that wins a promotion playoff series.[15] If the J2 playoff winner prevails, the club is promoted, with the J1 club being relegated, otherwise the J1 club can retain its position in J1 League with the promotion failure of the J2 club.

In November 2017, Urawa Red Diamonds played the AFC Champions League final against Al Hilal. After a draw in the first leg, Urawa Red Diamonds won the second leg 1-0 and were crowned Asian Champions. In the past 10–15 years, Japanese clubs have risen not only continentally, but also internationally. Clubs Gamba Osaka and Urawa Red Diamonds have been crowned Asian champions and participated in the Club World Cup, always targeting at least the semi-finals. Kashima Antlers were finalists of the 2016 edition and eventually lost to Real Madrid.

Beginning in 2026, the J.League will use a fall–spring format. The regular season will begin in August and pause for a winter break between December and February, with the final matches played in May.[16]

### Timeline[edit]

Year  | Important events  | No. J clubs  | No. ACLE clubs  | No. ACL2 clubs  | Rel. slots

|
|
|
|
|

1989  |

* JFA forms a professional league assessment committee.

|  |  | –  |
1990  |

* The committee decides the criteria for professional clubs
* Fifteen to twenty clubs from Japan Soccer League applies for the professional league membership

|  |  |
1992  |

* The professional league, J.League is formed with the following 10 clubs:
* Gamba Osaka, JEF United Ichihara, Nagoya Grampus Eight, Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Urawa Red Diamonds, Verdy Kawasaki, Yokohama Flügels, and Yokohama Marinos (pre-existing from the old JSL First Division)
* Kashima Antlers (promoted from the old Second Division)
* Shimizu S-Pulse (newly formed, non-company club).
* Japan Soccer League becomes then second-tier Japan Football League
* J.League hosts the first domestic league cup competition with the ten clubs

|  |  |
1993 |

* The J.League officially kicks off its first season

| 10  |  |
1994 |

* Following clubs are promoted from Japan Football League: Júbilo Iwata and Bellmare Hiratsuka

| 12  |  |
1995 |

* Following clubs are promoted from Japan Football League: Cerezo Osaka and Kashiwa Reysol
* The points system is introduced for the first time: a club receives 3 pts for any win, 1 pt for PK loss, and 0 pts for regulation or extra time loss.

| 14  |  |
1996 |

* Following clubs are promoted from Japan Football League: Kyoto Purple Sanga and Avispa Fukuoka
* The league adopts single season format
* J.League average attendance hits the record low 10,131

| 16  |  |
1997 |

* Following club is promoted from Japan Football League: Vissel Kobe
* The league goes back to split-season format
* The points system changes: a club receives 3 pts for a regulation win, 2 pts for extra-time win, 1 pt for PK win, and 0 pts for any loss.

| 17  |  |
1998 |

* Following club is promoted from Japan Football League: Consadole Sapporo
* Yokohama Flügels announce that they will be dissolved into crosstown rivals Yokohama Marinos for the 1999 season
* The league announces the J.League Hundred Year Vision
* The league announces incorporation of two-division system for the 1999 season
* The league hosts J.League Promotion Tournament to decide to promote and/or relegate clubs. As a result, Consadole Sapporo becomes the first club be to relegated.

| 18  |  |
1999 |

* Yokohama Marinos merge with Yokohama Flügels to become Yokohama F. Marinos
* Penalty kick shootouts are abolished in both divisions; however, golden goal extra-time rules stayed
* The points system changes: a club receives 3 pts for a regulation win, 2 pts for an extra time win, and 1 pt for a tie
* Japan Football League (former) is also restructured, as it becomes the 3rd-tier Japan Football League.

Note: To distinguish between the former and the current JFL, the new JFL is pronounced Nihon Football League in Japanese.
| 16  |  | 2
2000 |  |
2001 |  |
2002 |  | 2
2003 |

* Extra time is abolished in Division 1 and traditional 3–1–0 points system is adopted

2004 |

* No automatic relegation this season, as the top flight expands to 18 clubs in the following season
* Inception of the two-legged Promotion/relegation Series

| 0.5
2005 |

* J.League Division 1 expands to 18 clubs
* J.League Division 1 adopts single-season format

| 18  | 2.5
2006 |

* Away goals rule is adopted in Yamazaki Nabisco Cup and Promotion/relegation Series
* The league forms J.League expansion committee
* The league reintroduces J.League Associate Membership

2007 |

* J.League champion qualifies to the FIFA Club World Cup as the host for next two seasons.

Note: If a Japanese club wins the AFC Champions League, the host loses its right.

* Urawa Red Diamonds wins the 2007 AFC Champions League, becoming the first Japanese club to win the AFC Champions League since its rebranding in 2002. Urawa wins the bronze medal at the 2007 FIFA Club World Cup, becoming the first Japanese club to do so.

2008 |

* Gamba Osaka wins the 2008 AFC Champions League, the second straight championship by a Japanese club and wins the bronze medal at the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup, the second straight Japanese bronze medal at the competition.

| 2+1
2009 |

* Four clubs enter AFC Champions League.
* Implementation of a 4th foreign player slot, a.k.a. AFC player slot
* Promotion/relegation Series is eliminated and 16th-place club is now relegated by default.

| 4  | 3
2010 |
2011 |

* J.League champion qualifies to the FIFA Club World Cup as the host for next two seasons again.

2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |

* J.League reinstates split-season format for the next five seasons.
* J.League champion qualifies to the FIFA Club World Cup as the host for the next two seasons again.

2016 |

* J.League champion qualifies to the FIFA Club World Cup as the host.
* Kashima Antlers reaches the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup Final becoming the first Asian club and only Japanese club to reach the Final, finishing with the silver medal.

2017 |

* J.League reinstates single-season format after only two seasons.
* Urawa Red Diamonds wins the 2017 AFC Champions League becoming the first Japanese club to win this competition twice.

2018 |

* J.League implements entry playoff between 16th J1 club and J2 playoffs winner.
* Kashima Antlers wins the 2018 AFC Champions League becoming only the third Japanese club to win this competition. Kashima goes on to finish 4th at 2018 FIFA Club World Cup, the best performance by a Japanese club in a FIFA World Cup held overseas outside of Japanese soil.

| 2.5
2019 |

* J.League implements a new foreigners rule. J1, J2 and J3 clubs can recruit as many foreign players as they desire, but only 5 (J1) or 4 (J2 and J3) can be in the matchday squad. The "Asian slot" is removed. Players from certain J.League partner nations such as Thailand, Vietnam, etc. are not counted as foreigners.

2020 |

* No relegation due to the COVID-19 pandemic

| 3  | 0
2021 |

* League is expanded to hold 20 clubs, as no team was relegated from the J1 and two teams were promoted from the J2

| 20  | 4
2022 |

* League returns to have 18 clubs, as there were four relegated teams from J1 and two promoted to J2.

| 18  | 2.5
2023 |

* It is decided that from the 2024 season, the J1, J2 and J3 Leagues will be levelled to 20 clubs in each, with promotions and relegations of the 2023 season of each league being adjusted accordingly for it to be possible.
* As league will be expanded to permanently hold 20 clubs, only one team will be directly relegated to the J2 for 2023.
* There will be promotion play-offs for the J1 with teams from 3rd to 6th place, with no team from the J1 participating on it.

| 1
2024 |

* No J1-J2 promotion/relegation play-offs will be held and instead, the three worst-placed teams will be directly relegated to the J2.

| 20  | 2  | 1  | 3

## Crest[edit]

* Former logo

* Logo used between 2015-2018

## 2024 season[edit]

### League format[edit]

Main article: 2024 J1 League

Twenty clubs play in double round-robin (home and away) format, a total of 38 games each. A club receives 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss. The clubs are ranked by points, and tiebreakers are, in the following order:

* Goal differential
* Goals scored
* Head-to-head results
* Disciplinary points

A draw would be conducted, if necessary. However, if two clubs are tied for first place, both clubs will be declared as co-champions. The top two clubs will qualify to the following season's AFC Champions League Elite, the third-placers qualify to the following season's AFC Champions League 2, while the bottom three clubs will be relegated to J2.

Prize money (2020 figures)[17]

* Champions: 300,000,000 yen
* Second place: 120,000,000 yen
* Third place: 60,000,000 yen

In addition to the prize, the top 4 clubs are awarded with the following funds.

J league funds distributed to top 4 clubs (from 2017)

* Champions: 1,550,000,000 yen
* Second place: 700,000,000 yen
* Third place: 350,000,000 yen
* Fourth place: 180,000,000 yen

### Participating clubs[edit]

Club  | Year
joined  | Seasons
in J1  | Based in  | First season in
top flight  | Seasons in
top flight  | Current spell in
top flight  | Last title

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Albirex Niigata | 1999 (J2)  | 15  | Niigata, Niigata | 2004  | 15  | 2023–  | –
Avispa Fukuoka | 1996  | 11  | Fukuoka, Fukuoka | 1996  | 11  | 2021–  | –
Cerezo Osaka | 1995  | 21  | Osaka & Sakai, Osaka | 1965  | 47  | 2017–  | 1980
Gamba Osaka | 1993  | 29  | North cities in Osaka | 1986/87  | 36  | 2014–  | 2014
Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo | 1998  | 11  | All cities/towns in Hokkaidō | 1989/90  | 14  | 2017–  | –
Júbilo Iwata | 1994 (J)  | 25  | Iwata, Shizuoka | 1979  | 34  | 2024–  | 2002
Kashima Antlers | 1993  | 30  | Southwestern cities/towns of Ibaraki | 1985/86  | 33  | 1993–  | 2016
Kashiwa Reysol | 1995  | 25  | Kashiwa, Chiba | 1965  | 49  | 2020–  | 2011
Kawasaki Frontale | 1999 (J2)  | 19  | Kawasaki, Kanagawa | 1977  | 21  | 2005–  | 2021
Kyoto Sanga | 1996  | 12  | Southwestern cities/towns in Kyoto | 1996  | 12  | 2022–  | –
Machida Zelvia | 2012 (J2)  | 0  | Machida, Tokyo | 2024  | 0  | 2024–  | –
Nagoya Grampus | 1993  | 29  | All cities/towns in Aichi | 1973  | 37  | 2018–  | 2010
Sagan Tosu | 1999 (J2)  | 11  | Tosu, Saga | 2012  | 11  | 2012–  | –
Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 1993  | 27  | Hiroshima, Hiroshima | 1965  | 50  | 2009–  | 2015
Shonan Bellmare | 1994  | 14  | South and central cities/town in Kanagawa | 1972  | 32  | 2018–  | 1981
FC Tokyo | 1999 (J2)  | 22  | Chōfu | 2000  | 22  | 2012–  | –
Tokyo Verdy | 1993 (J)  | 14  | Tokyo  | 1993  | 14  | 2024–  | 1994
Urawa Red Diamonds | 1993  | 29  | Saitama | 1965  | 55  | 2001–  | 2006
Vissel Kobe | 1997  | 24  | Kobe, Hyōgo | 1997  | 24  | 2014–  | 2023
Yokohama F. Marinos | 1993  | 30  | Yokohama, Yokosuka & Yamato | 1979  | 42  | 1982–  | 2022

Source for teams participating:[18]

* Pink background denotes club was most recently promoted from J2 League.
* "Year joined" is the year the club joined the J.League (Division 1 unless otherwise indicated).
* "First season in top flight", "Seasons in top flight", "Current spell in top flight", and "Last title" include seasons in the old Japan Soccer League First Division.

### Stadiums (2024)[edit]

Main article: List of football stadiums in Japan

See also: Category:Football venues in Japan

Primary venues used in the J1 League:

Albirex Niigata | Avispa Fukuoka | Cerezo Osaka | Gamba Osaka | Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo | Jubilo Iwata

|
|
|
|
|

Denka Big Swan Stadium | Best Denki Stadium | Yanmar Stadium Nagai | Yodoko Sakura Stadium | Panasonic Stadium Suita | Sapporo Dome | Sapporo Atsubetsu Stadium | Yamaha Stadium
Capacity: 42,300 | Capacity: 21,562 | Capacity: 47,816 | Capacity: 19,904 | Capacity: 41,484 | Capacity: 20,861 | Capacity: 40,000 | Capacity: 18,500
|  |  |  |  |  |  |
Kashima Antlers | Kashiwa Reysol | Kawasaki Frontale | Kyoto Sanga FC | Machida Zelvia | Nagoya Grampus | Sagan Tosu
Kashima Soccer Stadium | Sankyo Frontier Kashiwa Stadium | Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium | Sanga Stadium by Kyocera | Machida Gion Stadium | Paloma Mizuho Stadium | Toyota Stadium | Ekimae Real Estate Stadium
Capacity: 40,728 | Capacity: 15,349 | Capacity: 26,000 | Capacity: 21,600 | Capacity: 10,600 | Capacity: 27,000 | Capacity: 45,000 | Capacity: 24,490
|  |  |  |  |  |  |
Sanfrecce Hiroshima | Shonan Bellmare | FC Tokyo | Tokyo Verdy | Urawa Red Diamonds | Vissel Kobe | Yokohama F. Marinos | All J1 Stadiums
Edion Stadium Hiroshima | Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka | Ajinomoto Stadium | Saitama Stadium 2002 | Noevir Stadium Kobe | Nissan Stadium
Capacity: 36,906 | Capacity: 15,200 | Capacity: 63,700 | Capacity: 30,132 | Capacity: 72,370 | Capacity: 50,100
|  |  |  |  |

### Former clubs[edit]

Club  | Year
Joined  | Seasons
in J1  | Based in  | First season in
top flight  | Seasons in
top flight  | Last spell in
top flight  | Last
title | Current
league

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

JEF United Chiba | 1993  | 17  | Chiba & Ichihara, Chiba | 1965  | 44  | 1965–2009  | 1985/86  | J2
Matsumoto Yamaga | 2012 (J2)  | 2  | Central cities/village in Nagano | 2015  | 2  | 2019  | –  | J3
Montedio Yamagata | 1999 (J2)  | 4  | All cities/towns in Yamagata | 2009  | 4  | 2015  | –  | J2
Oita Trinita | 1999 (J2)  | 11  | All cities/towns in Ōita | 2003  | 11  | 2019–2021  | –  | J2
Omiya Ardija | 1999 (J2)  | 12  | Saitama | 2005  | 12  | 2016–2017  | –  | J3
Shimizu S-Pulse | 1993  | 28  | Shizuoka | 1993  | 28  | 2017–2022  | –  | J2
Tokushima Vortis | 2005 (J2)  | 2  | All cities/towns in Tokushima | 2014  | 2  | 2021  | –  | J2
V-Varen Nagasaki | 2013 (J2)  | 1  | All cities/towns in Nagasaki | 2018  | 1  | 2018  | –  | J2
Vegalta Sendai | 1999 (J2)  | 14  | Sendai, Miyagi | 2002  | 14  | 2010–2021  | –  | J2
Ventforet Kofu | 1999 (J2)  | 8  | All cities/towns in Yamanashi | 2006  | 8  | 2013–2017  | –  | J2
Yokohama FC | 1999 (J2)  | 4  | Yokohama | 2007  | 4  | 2023  | –  | J2
Yokohama Flügels | 1993  | 6  | Yokohama, Kanagawa | 1985/86  | 11  | 1988/89–1998  | –  | Defunct

* Grey background denotes club was most recently relegated to J2 League.
* "Year joined" is the year the club joined the J.League (Division 1 unless otherwise indicated).
* "First season in top flight", "Seasons in top flight", "Last spell in top flight", and "Last title" includes seasons in the old Japan Soccer League First Division.

## Statistics[edit]

### All-time J1 League table[edit]

The all-time J1 League table is a cumulative record of all match results, points, and goals of every team that has played in the J1 League. The table that follows is accurate as of the end of the 2022 season. Teams in bold are part of the 2023 J1 League.

Note: For statistical purposes, the traditional 3–1–0 points system is used for all matches. As in the season, 1993–1994 did not use the point system. In seasons 1995–1996 were using 3 pts for any win, 1 pt for PK loss, and 0 pts for regulation or extra time loss. In seasons 1997-1998 were using 3 pts for a regulation win, 2 pts for extra-time win, 1 pt for PK win, and 0 pts for any loss. And from seasons 1999–2002 were using 3 pts for a regulation win, 2 pts for an extra time win, and 1 pt for a tie.

Pos. | Club  | Seasons  | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Best
Pos.

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1 | Kashima Antlers | 30 | 1024 | 561 | 155 | 308 | 1,749 | 1,211 | +538 | 1,838 | 1st
2 | Yokohama F. Marinos | 30 | 1024 | 508 | 180 | 336 | 1,643 | 1,233 | +410 | 1,704 | 1st
3 | Urawa Red Diamonds | 29 | 994 | 457 | 174 | 363 | 1,526 | 1,319 | +207 | 1,545 | 1st
4 | Nagoya Grampus | 29 | 990 | 448 | 162 | 380 | 1,475 | 1,370 | +105 | 1,506 | 1st
5 | Gamba Osaka | 29 | 990 | 445 | 155 | 390 | 1,640 | 1,459 | +181 | 1,490 | 1st
6 | Shimizu S-Pulse | 29 | 990 | 421 | 167 | 402 | 1,415 | 1,459 | −44 | 1,430 | 2nd
7 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 28 | 960 | 411 | 165 | 384 | 1,390 | 1,279 | +111 | 1,398 | 1st
8 | Júbilo Iwata | 25 | 848 | 391 | 142 | 315 | 1,374 | 1,170 | +204 | 1,315 | 1st
9 | Kashiwa Reysol | 25 | 842 | 363 | 144 | 335 | 1,261 | 1,217 | +44 | 1,233 | 1st
10 | Kawasaki Frontale | 19 | 646 | 340 | 134 | 172 | 1,193 | 813 | +380 | 1,154 | 1st
11 | FC Tokyo | 22 | 732 | 307 | 157 | 268 | 1,007 | 934 | +73 | 1,078 | 2nd
12 | Cerezo Osaka | 22 | 744 | 306 | 133 | 305 | 1,117 | 1,120 | −3 | 1,051 | 3rd
13 | Vissel Kobe | 24 | 794 | 266 | 163 | 365 | 1,056 | 1,250 | −194 | 961 | 3rd
14 | JEF United Chiba | 17 | 578 | 227 | 70 | 281 | 874 | 980 | −106 | 751 | 3rd
15 | Tokyo Verdy | 14 | 476 | 226 | 43 | 207 | 767 | 713 | +54 | 721 | 1st
16 | Albirex Niigata | 14 | 472 | 156 | 115 | 201 | 557 | 679 | −122 | 583 | 6th
17 | Shonan Bellmare | 15 | 532 | 166 | 83 | 283 | 663 | 908 | –245 | 581 | 5th
18 | Vegalta Sendai | 14 | 472 | 144 | 122 | 206 | 561 | 686 | −125 | 554 | 2nd
19 | Sagan Tosu | 11 | 378 | 133 | 107 | 138 | 443 | 479 | −36 | 506 | 5th
20 | Omiya Ardija | 12 | 408 | 129 | 104 | 175 | 455 | 579 | −124 | 491 | 5th
21 | Oita Trinita | 11 | 370 | 108 | 88 | 174 | 387 | 512 | −125 | 412 | 4th
22 | Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo | 11 | 370 | 110 | 68 | 192 | 472 | 653 | −181 | 398 | 4th
23 | Kyoto Sanga | 12 | 352 | 112 | 53 | 221 | 428 | 678 | −250 | 389 | 5th
24 | Yokohama Flügels | 6 | 228 | 117 | 0 | 111 | 375 | 373 | +2 | 351 | 3rd
25 | Avispa Fukuoka | 11 | 360 | 94 | 51 | 215 | 384 | 642 | –258 | 333 | 8th
26 | Ventforet Kofu | 8 | 272 | 69 | 73 | 130 | 255 | 404 | –149 | 280 | 13th
27 | Montedio Yamagata | 4 | 136 | 30 | 36 | 70 | 108 | 199 | −91 | 126 | 13th
28 | Yokohama FC | 3 | 106 | 19 | 19 | 68 | 89 | 203 | −114 | 76 | 15th
29 | Matsumoto Yamaga | 2 | 68 | 13 | 20 | 35 | 51 | 94 | −43 | 59 | 16th
30 | Tokushima Vortis | 2 | 72 | 13 | 11 | 48 | 50 | 129 | –79 | 50 | 17th
31 | V-Varen Nagasaki | 1 | 34 | 8 | 6 | 20 | 39 | 59 | −20 | 30 | 18th

League or status at 2023:

| 2023 J1 League teams

|

| 2023 J2 League teams
| 2023 J3 League teams
| Defunct teams

### Championship history[edit]

Main article: List of Japanese football champions

Year  | Champions  | Runners-up

|
|

1993

| Verdy Kawasaki | Kashima Antlers

1994

| Verdy Kawasaki | Sanfrecce Hiroshima

1995

| Yokohama Marinos | Verdy Kawasaki

1996

| Kashima Antlers | Nagoya Grampus Eight

1997

| Júbilo Iwata | Kashima Antlers

1998

| Kashima Antlers | Júbilo Iwata

1999

| Júbilo Iwata | Shimizu S-Pulse

2000

| Kashima Antlers | Yokohama F. Marinos

2001

| Kashima Antlers | Júbilo Iwata

2002

| Júbilo Iwata | Yokohama F. Marinos

2003

| Yokohama F. Marinos | Júbilo Iwata

2004

| Yokohama F. Marinos | Urawa Red Diamonds

2005

| Gamba Osaka | Urawa Red Diamonds

2006

| Urawa Red Diamonds | Kawasaki Frontale

2007

| Kashima Antlers | Urawa Red Diamonds

2008

| Kashima Antlers | Kawasaki Frontale

2009

| Kashima Antlers | Kawasaki Frontale

2010

| Nagoya Grampus | Gamba Osaka

2011

| Kashiwa Reysol | Nagoya Grampus

2012

| Sanfrecce Hiroshima | Vegalta Sendai

2013

| Sanfrecce Hiroshima | Yokohama F. Marinos

2014

| Gamba Osaka | Urawa Red Diamonds

2015

| Sanfrecce Hiroshima | Gamba Osaka

2016

| Kashima Antlers | Urawa Red Diamonds

2017

| Kawasaki Frontale | Kashima Antlers

2018

| Kawasaki Frontale | Sanfrecce Hiroshima

2019

| Yokohama F. Marinos | FC Tokyo

2020

| Kawasaki Frontale | Gamba Osaka

2021

| Kawasaki Frontale | Yokohama F. Marinos

2022

| Yokohama F. Marinos | Kawasaki Frontale

2023

| Vissel Kobe | Yokohama F. Marinos

### Most successful clubs[edit]

Clubs in bold compete in top flight for the 2023 season.

Club | Champions | Runners-up | Winning seasons | Runners-up seasons

|
|
|
|

Kashima Antlers |

| 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2016  | 1993, 1997, 2017
Yokohama F. Marinos |

| 1995, 2003, 2004, 2019, 2022  | 2000, 2002, 2013, 2021, 2023
Kawasaki Frontale |

| 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021  | 2006, 2008, 2009, 2022
Júbilo Iwata |

| 1997, 1999, 2002  | 1998, 2001, 2003
Sanfrecce Hiroshima |

| 2012, 2013, 2015  | 1994, 2018
Gamba Osaka |

| 2005, 2014  | 2010, 2015, 2020
Tokyo Verdy |

| 1993, 1994  | 1995
Urawa Red Diamonds |

| 2006  | 2004, 2005, 2007, 2014, 2016
Nagoya Grampus |

| 2010  | 1996, 2011
Kashiwa Reysol |

| 2011  |
Vissel Kobe |

| 2023  |
Shimizu S-Pulse |

|  | 1999
Vegalta Sendai |

|  | 2012
FC Tokyo |

|  | 2019

### Relegation history[edit]

Only four clubs have never been relegated from J1. Among those, only two clubs – Kashima Antlers and Yokohama F. Marinos – have participated in every league season since its establishment in 1993. Sagan Tosu were promoted to the first division in 2012, and remain there ever since. The former J.League club Yokohama Flügels never experienced relegation before their merger with Yokohama Marinos in 1999.

JEF United Chiba holds the record for the longest top flight participation streak of 44 consecutive seasons in the first divisions of JSL and J.League that lasted from the establishment of JFL in 1965 and ended with their relegation in 2009. The longest ongoing top flight streak belongs to Yokohama F. Marinos who have played in the top flight since 1982 (43 seasons as of 2023).

The 1998 season

When the league introduced the two-division system in 1999, they also reduced number of Division 1 clubs from 18 to 16. At the end of 1998 season, they ran the J.League Promotion Tournament to determine the two relegated clubs.

Split-season era (1999–2004, 2015–2016)

Throughout 1999 to 2003 seasons, the two bottom clubs were relegated to Division 2. To accommodate the split-season format, combined overall standings were used to determine the relegated clubs. This created a confusing situation, where for the championship race stage standings were used, while overall standing was used for relegation survival.

At end of the 2004 season, Division 1 again expanded from 16 to 18 clubs. No clubs were relegated; however, the last-placed (16th) club had to play the Promotion/Relegation Series against the 3rd placed club from J2. Again, to determine the 16th placed club, the overall standing was used instead of stage standings.

For two seasons starting in 2015, the three bottom clubs were relegated based on overall standings.

Single season era (2005–2014, 2017–2019, 2022–present)

For the next four seasons, 2005 to 2008, the number of relegating clubs was increased to 2.5, with two clubs from each division being promoted and relegated directly, and two more (15th in J1 and 3rd in J2) competing in the Promotion/Relegation Series.

In 2009, the promotion/relegation series was abandoned and three teams were directly exchanged between divisions. In 2012, promotion playoffs were introduced in J2, allowing teams that finished from 3rd to 6th to compete for the last J1 promotion place. For the 2018, 2019 and 2022 seasons, the bottom two teams are relegated and the entry playoff has the 16th team play the J2 playoff winner.

Single season era (2021)

No teams descended to J2 after the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan and its effects.[19] Instead, four relegations were in place for the 2021 season to bring back the number of teams from 20 to 18.[20]

Summary
Year  | 15th place  | 16th place  | 17th place  | 18th place  | 19th place  | 20th place

|
|
|
|
|
|

1998 | JEF United Ichihara | Consadole Sapporo | Vissel Kobe | Avispa Fukuoka | Only 18 clubs participated
1999 | Urawa Red Diamonds | Bellmare Hiratsuka | Only 16 clubs participated
2000 | Kyoto Purple Sanga | Kawasaki Frontale
2001 | Avispa Fukuoka | Cerezo Osaka
2002 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | Consadole Sapporo
2003 | Vegalta Sendai | Kyoto Purple Sanga
2004 | Cerezo Osaka | Kashiwa Reysol †
2005 | Shimizu S-Pulse | Kashiwa Reysol ‡ | Tokyo Verdy 1969 | Vissel Kobe | Only 18 clubs participated
2006 | Ventforet Kofu | Avispa Fukuoka ‡ | Cerezo Osaka | Kyoto Purple Sanga
2007 | Omiya Ardija | Sanfrecce Hiroshima ‡ | Ventforet Kofu | Yokohama FC
2008 | JEF United Chiba | Júbilo Iwata † | Tokyo Verdy | Consadole Sapporo
2009 | Montedio Yamagata | Kashiwa Reysol | Oita Trinita | JEF United Chiba
2010 | Vissel Kobe | FC Tokyo | Kyoto Sanga | Shonan Bellmare
2011 | Urawa Red Diamonds | Ventforet Kofu | Avispa Fukuoka | Montedio Yamagata
2012 | Albirex Niigata | Vissel Kobe | Gamba Osaka | Consadole Sapporo
2013 | Ventforet Kofu | Shonan Bellmare | Júbilo Iwata | Oita Trinita
2014 | Shimizu S-Pulse | Omiya Ardija | Cerezo Osaka | Tokushima Vortis
2015 | Albirex Niigata | Matsumoto Yamaga | Shimizu S-Pulse | Montedio Yamagata
2016 | Albirex Niigata | Nagoya Grampus | Shonan Bellmare | Avispa Fukuoka
2017 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | Ventforet Kofu | Albirex Niigata | Omiya Ardija
2018 | Nagoya Grampus | Júbilo Iwata †  | Kashiwa Reysol | V-Varen Nagasaki
2019 | Sagan Tosu | Shonan Bellmare | Matsumoto Yamaga | Júbilo Iwata
2020 | Yokohama FC | Shimizu S-Pulse | Vegalta Sendai | Shonan Bellmare
2021 | Kashiwa Reysol | Shonan Bellmare | Tokushima Vortis | Oita Trinita | Vegalta Sendai | Yokohama FC
2022 | Gamba Osaka | Kyoto Sanga †  | Shimizu S-Pulse | Júbilo Iwata | Only 18 clubs participated
2023 | Shonan Bellmare | Gamba Osaka | Kashiwa Reysol | Yokohama FC
2024 |  |  |  |  |  |

* Bold designates relegated clubs;
† Won the Pro/rele Series or entry playoff;
‡ Lost the Pro/rele Series or entry playoff and relegated

## Other tournaments[edit]

Domestic tournaments

* Fujifilm Super Cup (1994–present)
* Emperor's Cup (1921–present)
* J.League YBC Levain Cup (1992–present, except 1995)

International tournaments

* FIFA Club World Cup (2007–2008, 2011–2012, 2015–2016)
* AFC Champions League (1969, 1986/87–2002/03, 2004–present)
* J-League Cup/Copa Sudamericana Championship (2008–present)

Defunct tournament

* Suntory Championship (1993–2004, excluding 1996)
* Sanwa Bank Cup (1994–1997)
* JOMO All-Stars Soccer (1993–2007)
* A3 Champions Cup (2003–2007)
* Promotion/Relegation Series (2004–2008)
* Pan-Pacific Championship (2008, 2009)
* J1/J2 play-offs (2018, 2019, 2022)

## Players and managers[edit]

Main article: List of J.League awards

### Players[edit]

* List of J1 League players
* List of foreign J1 League players

### Managers[edit]

* List of J.League managers

## Media coverage[edit]

### Japan[edit]

All J1 matches are streamed live through DAZN until 2033 season, with selected matches also televised live plus highlights of other matches also available on public broadcaster NHK.

### Outside Japan[edit]

This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (July 2023)

|

The league is currently covered internationally (excluding China) by NHK World Premium (Japanese audio only)[21] and Dentsu.[22] Four matches per week available on J.League official Youtube channel (for countries without broadcasting rights agreement only) and several broadcasters around the world.

Country/region  | Broadcaster

|

Australia | Optus Sport[23]
Austria | Sportdigital
Germany
Ghana
Switzerland
China | K-Ball CHN

FTA and pay (regional television)

* GZTV
* TJTV

IPTV

* Wasu

Streaming

* Weibo[24]

Indian Subcontinent | FanCode[25]
Macau | TDM
Nigeria | Sporty TV
Thailand | Siam Sport

^CHN – as main distributor, including J2 matches

## Sponsorship[edit]

### Title Partner[edit]

* Meiji Yasuda Life

### Official Broadcasting Partner[edit]

* DAZN

### Top Partners[edit]

* AiDEM
* Route-Inn Hotels
* ÆON
* NTT docomo, Inc.
* KONAMI
* Ichigo
* Bushiroad
* OneFootball

## See also[edit]

* Association football portal
* Women's association football portal
* Sports portal
* Games portal
* Japan portal

* Sport in Japan
* Football in Japan
* Women's football in Japan
* Japan Football Association (JFA)

Association football
League system

* Japanese association football league system
* J.League records and statistics
* J.League
* J1 League (Tier 1)
* J2 League (Tier 2)
* J3 League (Tier 3)
* Japan Football League (JFL) (Tier 4)
* Regional Champions League (Promotion playoffs to JFL)
* Regional Leagues (Tier 5/6)

Domestic cup

* Fujifilm Super Cup (Super Cup)
* Emperor's Cup (National Cup)
* J.League YBC Levain Cup (League Cup)

Futsal

* F.League
* F1 League (Tier 1)
* F2 League (Tier 2)
* JFA Futsal Championship (National Cup)
* F.League Ocean Cup (League Cup)

Beach soccer

* Beach Soccer Championship (National Cup)

## References[edit]

1. ^ The logo used in Japan is labeled 「明治安田 J1 LEAGUE」.
2. ^ サッカー用語集 [Football glossary]. JFA (in Japanese). Japan Football Association. January 25, 2017. Archived from the original on February 13, 2019. Retrieved February 24, 2019. 「日本プロサッカーリーグ」の読みは、「にほんプロサッカーリーグ」。
3. ^ "J-League History Part 5: Expansion, success, and a bright future". Goal.com. 9 September 2013. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
4. ^ "J-League History Part 4: Exporting Talent". Goal.com. 9 September 2013. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
5. ^ "J-League History Part 3: Growing pains emerge on the road to the 2002 World Cup". Goal.com. 9 September 2013. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
6. ^ "J-League History Part 2: Verdy Kawasaki dominates the early years". Goal.com. 9 September 2013. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
7. ^ "J-League History Part 1: Professional football begins in Japan". Goal.com. 9 September 2013. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
8. ^ "Tokyo Journal; Japan Falls for Soccer, Leaving Baseball in Lurch". The New York Times. 6 June 1994. Archived from the original on 7 August 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
9. ^ "Japan Wages Soccer Campaign". Christian Science Monitor. 11 June 1993. Archived from the original on 7 August 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
10. ^ "Football finds a home in Japan". FIFA. 12 December 2005. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
11. ^ "How Japan created a successful league". When Saturday Comes. 18 July 2010. Archived from the original on 9 August 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
12. ^ John Duerden (11 August 2008). "Asian Debate: Is Japan Becoming Asia's Leader?". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 21 January 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
13. ^ 川崎Ｆが香港でブレーク中、生中継で火 (in Japanese). NikkanSports. 8 March 2008. Archived from the original on 12 March 2008. Retrieved 8 March 2008.
14. ^ Duerden, John. "J.League seeks to wrestle back spotlight from Chinese Super League". ESPN FC. ESPN. Archived from the original on 20 December 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
15. ^ "2018J1参入プレーオフ 大会方式および試合方式について". J.League. 12 December 2017. Archived from the original on 15 December 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
16. ^ "J. League board approves August start to season from 2026". The Japan Times. Kyodo News. December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
17. ^ "J. League reveals breakdown of prize money, funds". The Japan Times. 9 February 2017. Archived from the original on 5 August 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
18. ^ "J1 League: Summary". Soccerway. Global Sports Media. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
19. ^ Orlowitz, Dan (19 March 2020). "J. League to skip relegation as schedule threatened by coronavirus". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
20. ^ "Number of clubs promoted and relegated at the end of the 2021 season" (Press release). J.League. 18 November 2020. Archived from the original on 16 December 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
21. ^ "J League Soccer: Urawa Red Diamonds vs F.C.Tokyo". NHK World Premium. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
22. ^ "We're going global: J.LEAGUE releases global broadcast plans for 2023 Meiji Yasuda J1 League | News". J.LEAGUE. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
23. ^ "Optus Sport Welcomes J-League to Our 2020 Line Up". Optus Sport. Archived from the original on 26 February 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
24. ^ "News Release: Correction on International Broadcast (China) | News". J.LEAGUE. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
25. ^ "FanCode becomes official broadcast partner of Meiji Yasuda J1 League in India". Broadcast and CableSat. 2022-03-23. Archived from the original on 2022-04-14. Retrieved 2022-05-18.

## External links[edit]

* Official website, JLeague.jp (in English)
* Official YouTube Channel (in Japanese)
* RSSSF.com - Japan - List of Champions

* v
* t
* e

J.League

Champions (J1 League · J2 League · J3 League) · Records and statistics · Historical goals

Seasons|

| J1 League seasons
(1993–present)|

* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

|

J2 League seasons
(1999–present)|

* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

J3 League seasons
(2014–present)|

* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Clubs|

| J1 League|

* Albirex Niigata
* Avispa Fukuoka
* Cerezo Osaka
* Gamba Osaka
* Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
* Kashima Antlers
* Kashiwa Reysol
* Kawasaki Frontale
* Kyoto Sanga FC
* Nagoya Grampus
* Sagan Tosu
* Sanfrecce Hiroshima
* Shonan Bellmare
* FC Tokyo
* Urawa Red Diamonds
* Vissel Kobe
* Yokohama F. Marinos
* Yokohama FC

|

J2 League|

* Blaublitz Akita
* Fagiano Okayama
* Fujieda MYFC
* Iwaki FC
* JEF United Chiba
* Júbilo Iwata
* FC Machida Zelvia
* Mito HollyHock
* Montedio Yamagata
* Oita Trinita
* Omiya Ardija
* Renofa Yamaguchi FC
* Roasso Kumamoto
* Shimizu S-Pulse
* Thespakusatsu Gunma
* Tochigi SC
* Tokushima Vortis
* Tokyo Verdy
* V-Varen Nagasaki
* Vegalta Sendai
* Ventforet Kofu
* Zweigen Kanazawa

J3 League|

* AC Nagano Parceiro
* Azul Claro Numazu
* Ehime FC
* Fukushima United FC
* Gainare Tottori
* FC Gifu
* Giravanz Kitakyushu
* FC Imabari
* Iwate Grulla Morioka
* Kagoshima United FC
* Kamatamare Sanuki
* Kataller Toyama
* Matsumoto Yamaga FC
* Nara Club
* FC Osaka
* FC Ryukyu
* SC Sagamihara
* Tegevajaro Miyazaki
* Vanraure Hachinohe
* YSCC Yokohama

Former|

* Yokohama Flügels
* J.League U-22 Selection
* FC Tokyo U-23
* Gamba Osaka U-23
* Cerezo Osaka U-23

Players|

* Designated special players (DSP)
* Foreign J.League players
* Foreign J2 League players

Managers|

* J.League managers
* current

Referees|

* J.League referees

Awards (Monthly MVP · MVP Award · Best XI · Top Scorer · Rookie of the Year · Manager of the Year)

* v
* t
* e

Football in Japan

By prefecture (Tokyo, Osaka), city

National association|

* Japan Football Association

National teams
(2023)|

| Men|

* Japan
* results
* players
* managers
* B
* U-23
* results
* players
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* U-20
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|

Women|

* Japan
* results
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* results
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Leagues
(2023)|

| Men|

* J.League
* J1 League
* J2 League
* J3 League
* Japan Football League
* Regional Leagues

|

Women|

* WE League
* Nadeshiko League
* Division 1
* Division 2

Cups
(2023)|

| Men|

* Emperor's Cup
* YBC Levain Cup
* Fujifilm Super Cup

|

Women|

* Empress's Cup
* WE League Cup

International cups|

| Men|

* Kirin Cup Soccer (Senior)
* Kirin Challenge Cup (Senior / U-23)
* SBS Cup (U-18)
* Ibaraki Next Generation Cup (U-18)
* International Youth Soccer in Niigata (U-17)
* U-16 International Dream Cup

|

Women|

* MS&AD Cup (Senior)
* JENESYS U-17 Women’s Football Memorial Cup

Culture|

| Historical matches|

* Japan v Iraq (1994 FIFA World Cup qualification)

|

Anime and Manga|

* Aoashi
* Blue Lock
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* Days
* Giant Killing
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Rivalries|

* National teams
* Japan–South Korea
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* Records
* Trophies and awards
* Competitions
* Venues
* History

* v
* t
* e

Japanese club football

First-tier club football seasons, 1965–present

Japan Soccer League
1965–1992
Japan Soccer League Division 1
since 1972|

* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985–86
* 1986–87
* 1987–88
* 1988–89
* 1989–90
* 1990–91
* 1991–92

J.League
1993–present
J.League Division 1/J1 League
since 1999|

* 1993
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* List of champions
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Second-tier club football seasons, 1972–present

Japan Soccer League Division 2
1972–1992|

* 1972
* 1973
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* 1975
* 1976
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* 1978
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* 1983
* 1984
* 1985–86
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* 1989–90
* 1990–91
* 1991–92

(former) Japan Football League
1992–1998
(former) Japan Football League Division 1
1992–1993|

* 1992
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* 1995
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* 1998

J2 League
1999–present|

* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
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* List of champions
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Third-tier club football seasons, 1992–93, 1999–present

(former) Japan Football League Division 2
1992–93|

* 1992
* 1993

* No national third tier, 1994–1998

Japan Football League
1999–2013|

* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
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* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013

J3 League
2014–present|

* 2014
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* 2017
* 2018
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* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
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List of champions

Fourth-tier club football seasons, 2014–present

Japan Football League
2014–present|

* 2014
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* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Regional level club football seasons, 1966–present

Japanese Regional Leagues
1966–present|

* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
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* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

* Regional Champions League
* Shakaijin Cup

Emperor's Cup seasons, 1921–present

Emperor's Cup
1921–present|

* 1921
* 1922
* 1923
* 1924
* 1925
* ~~1926~~
* 1927
* 1928
* 1929
* 1930
* 1931
* 1932
* 1933
* ~~1934~~
* 1935
* 1936
* 1937
* 1938
* 1939
* 1940
* WW II
* 1946
* ~~1947~~
* ~~1948~~
* 1949
* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Super Cup

League Cup seasons, 1976–present

JSL Cup
1976–1991|

* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991

J.League Cup
1992–present|

* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Suruga Bank Championship

Football clubs in Japan, 2024

J1 League|

* Albirex Niigata
* Avispa Fukuoka
* Cerezo Osaka
* Gamba Osaka
* Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
* Júbilo Iwata
* Kashima Antlers
* Kashiwa Reysol
* Kawasaki Frontale
* Kyoto Sanga FC
* FC Machida Zelvia
* Nagoya Grampus
* Sagan Tosu
* Sanfrecce Hiroshima
* Shonan Bellmare
* FC Tokyo
* Tokyo Verdy
* Urawa Red Diamonds
* Vissel Kobe
* Yokohama F. Marinos

J2 League|

* Blaublitz Akita
* Ehime FC
* Fagiano Okayama
* Fujieda MYFC
* Iwaki FC
* JEF United Chiba
* Kagoshima United FC
* Mito HollyHock
* Montedio Yamagata
* Oita Trinita
* Renofa Yamaguchi FC
* Roasso Kumamoto
* Shimizu S-Pulse
* Thespakusatsu Gunma
* Tochigi SC
* Tokushima Vortis
* V-Varen Nagasaki
* Vegalta Sendai
* Ventforet Kofu
* Yokohama FC

J3 League|

* AC Nagano Parceiro
* Azul Claro Numazu
* FC Gifu
* FC Imabari
* Fukushima United FC
* Gainare Tottori
* Giravanz Kitakyushu
* Iwate Grulla Morioka
* Kamatamare Sanuki
* Kataller Toyama
* Matsumoto Yamaga FC
* Nara Club
* Omiya Ardija
* FC Osaka
* FC Ryukyu
* SC Sagamihara
* Tegevajaro Miyazaki
* Vanraure Hachinohe
* YSCC Yokohama
* Zweigen Kanazawa

100 Year Plan clubs|

* Criacao Shinjuku
* Nankatsu SC
* Tochigi City
* Tokyo 23
* Vonds Ichihara

Japan Football League|

* Briobecca Urayasu
* Criacao Shinjuku
* Honda FC
* Kochi United
* Maruyasu Okazaki
* Minebea Mitsumi
* Okinawa SV
* Reilac Shiga
* ReinMeer Aomori
* Sony Sendai
* FC Tiamo Hirakata
* Tochigi City
* Tokyo Musashino United
* Suzuka Point Getters
* Veertien Mie
* Verspah Oita

Defunct clubs
(clubs belonging to
nationwide leagues only)|

* Fukushima FC
* Arte Takasaki
* JEF Reserves
* Sagawa Express Tokyo
* NKK SC
* Yokohama Flügels
* ALO's Hokuriku
* Jatco SC
* Hagoromo Club
* Toyota Higashi-Fuji
* Seino Transportation
* Cosmo Oil Yokkaichi
* Sagawa Shiga
* NTT Kinki/Kansai
* SP Kyoto
* Tanabe Pharmaceutical
* Dainichi Cable Industries
* Sagawa Express Osaka
* Eidai SC
* Teijin SC
* Nippon Steel Yawata
* Tosu Futures
* Profesor Miyazaki
* J.League U-22 Selection
* FC Tokyo U-23
* Cerezo Osaka U-23
* Gamba Osaka U-23
* Kagura Shimane

* v
* t
* e

Sports leagues in Japan

Baseball|

* Nippon Professional Baseball
* Central League
* Pacific League

Basketball|

* B.League
* B1 League
* B2 League
* B3 League

Dancing|

* D.League

Football|

* J.League
* J1 League
* J2 League
* J3 League
* Japan Football League
* Japanese Regional Leagues
* Japanese Prefectural Leagues [ja]

Gridiron football|

* X-League

Handball|

* Japan Handball League

Road bicycle racing|

* Japan Cycle League [ja]

Roller derby|

* Tokyo Roller Girls
* Okinawa Roller Derby

Rugby|

* Japan Rugby League One

Table tennis|

* T.League

Volleyball|

* V.League
* V1 League
* V2 League
* V3 League

Professional sports|

* Asia League Ice Hockey
* J.League
* Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB)
* X-League

Women's sports|

* Football
* WE League
* Nadeshiko League
* Ice Hockey
* Women's Japan Ice Hockey League
* Softball
* Japan Diamond Softball League

Defunct|

* Baseball
* Football

* v
* t
* e

Top-level football leagues of Asia (AFC)

Current|

* Afghanistan
* Australia
* Bahrain
* Bangladesh
* Bhutan
* Brunei
* Cambodia
* China
* East Timor
* Guam
* Hong Kong
* India
* Indonesia
* Iran
* Iraq
* Japan
* Jordan
* Kuwait
* Kyrgyzstan
* Laos
* Lebanon
* Macau
* Malaysia
* Maldives
* Mongolia
* Myanmar
* Nepal
* North Korea
* Northern Mariana Islands
* Oman
* Pakistan
* Palestine
* Gaza Strip
* West Bank
* Philippines
* Qatar
* Saudi Arabia
* Singapore
* South Korea
* Sri Lanka
* Syria
* Taiwan
* Tajikistan
* Thailand
* Turkmenistan
* United Arab Emirates
* Uzbekistan
* Vietnam
* Yemen

Defunct|

* North Vietnam
* South Vietnam
* South Yemen

* v
* t
* e

2023 J1 League venues

* Ajinomoto Stadium
* Best Denki Stadium
* Denka Big Swan Stadium
* Edion Stadium Hiroshima
* Ekimae Real Estate Stadium
* Kashima Soccer Stadium
* Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium
* Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka
* NHK Spring Mitsuzawa Football Stadium
* Nissan Stadium
* Noevir Stadium Kobe
* Panasonic Stadium Suita
* Saitama Stadium 2002
* Sanga Stadium by Kyocera
* Sankyo Frontier Kashiwa Stadium
* Sapporo Dome
* Toyota Stadium
* Yodoko Sakura Stadium

Authority control databases: National |

* Germany

|

*[Pos.]: Position
*[Pld]: Played
*[W]: Won
*[D]: Drawn
*[L]: Lost
*[GF]: Goals for
*[GA]: Goals against
*[GD]: Goal difference
*[Pts]: Points
*[Best
Pos.]: Highest final position
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template